The Role of Moringa Oleifera as a Natural Antioxidants on Egg Laying Chicken Performance and Egg Quality

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder ( MOLP ), as a natural antioxidant , added to feed egg production and egg quality parameters of Hy line layers .A total of 60 single Hy line , 17 weeks were used in the experiment . They were randomly allocated to four treatment group, according to the level of MOLP introduced in the diet . Group A served as the control (0% MOLP) group B (0% MOLP+OIL) group D (1% MOLP) and group C (1% MOLP+ OIL) respectively.

The hens were managed in an open-sided house in a battery cage system and were kept in cages of 50X40X45 cm. Each treatment had with 5 replicates, comprising three hens per experimental unit, in a complete randomized design. All birds were provided with laying diet containing 2,800 Kcal/Kg, 17% CP, 1.45% calcium and 0.47% phosphorus. Water was offered ad labium through nipple drinking. The birds were subjected to a 16 h light and 8 h dark per day for the entire period of the experiment.